The moment our eyes met, I knew.
That same predatory glint as the "old woman" earlier… there was no mistaking it.
Mystique.
The infamous shapeshifter. A mutant who could twist every cell in her body, mimic anyone's face, voice, even fingerprints. Clothes? Accessories? All fake—woven from her own flesh. She could even shift her organs out of harm's way mid-fight. A terrifying ability, but with limits: she couldn't copy actual powers. Only appearances.
Dangerous, yes. But to me? She was fascinating.
I brushed past her and left the restroom, keeping up my Rogue disguise. True to form, Mystique didn't linger—she shifted into a harmless-looking teenage girl and slipped out after me.
Perfect.
I let her tail me down a narrow alley. Once the walls closed in, I stopped and turned.
"Long time no see, Mystique," I said with a grin.
Her eyes widened. She thought she was still shadowing Rogue.
"…How do you know it's me?"
"Please. With a face like yours? Hard not to notice." I smirked. "But you don't have to keep licking Magneto's boots. Stick with me, and I'll give you a better life."
She stepped closer, hand outstretched. "You've got it backwards. You should join us. Charles dreams of peace with humans, but that's a fairy tale. We mutants are the superior race. Only we deserve to rule. Magneto sees your potential—follow him, and you won't have to hide like a rat in a school."
"Wrong answer."
The smoke of my Transformation dispersed—Rogue's figure fading away until it was just me, standing there with a mocking smile.
Mystique froze. "What…? How are you… transforming like me?"
I shrugged. "Because I've got the same ability."
My body shifted again—muscles broadening, claws gleaming. Wolverine glared back at her.
She staggered back, disbelief twisting her face.
"Here's the deal," I said, voice low. "Keep crawling after Magneto… or follow me. Your choice."
Her eyes narrowed. "…What can you offer?"
"Nothing less than standing above all races. Looking down on the world as king."
Mystique scoffed, skin rippling blue as she dropped the disguise. "The Earth is a speck in the cosmos. The Avengers alone would crush you—Thor would strike you down like an ant. You think you'll rule the galaxy? Don't make me laugh."
"Short-sighted, as always." My grin sharpened. "That's fine. You'll see soon enough."
"I'll never follow you. And Rogue—she's coming with me!"
She spun and bolted.
But I was already faster. Chakra-fueled legs blurred into motion; smoke exploded behind me as I closed the distance.
Her kick lashed out—fast. I caught her ankle midair.
"Gotcha." I smirked. "So it's true, huh? You're the only mutant who doesn't actually wear clothes. This 'blue rubber' skin of yours… not bad. And the figure? Like a runway model. Stick with me, and you'll be worshipped as one beneath ten thousand."
"Not. Interested!"
She twisted, other leg snapping up, but I snagged that one too. She planted her palms to the ground, straining to wrench free with acrobatic force.
Too bad. My grip was unyielding. With Rock Lee's physical arts and chakra behind me, I could wrestle the Hulk if I had to. Mystique's struggles meant nothing.
Then—sirens. A patrol car rolled into the street nearby.
Mystique didn't hesitate. Her body shimmered, shrinking down into the form of a crying middle-schooler.
I clicked my tongue. "Cute trick. But don't forget…"
I pressed my hands together.
"Ninjutsu—Transformation Jutsu!"
Bang!
Smoke burst around me.
And when it cleared, there were suddenly two crying kids in that alley.